This easy and creamy broccoli cauliflower salad is loaded with flavors and crunch, and happens to be dairy free, paleo, and Whole30! Perfect for BBQs or a light lunch.
Making a salad out of broccoli and cauliflower is an idea that’s relatively new in my life. It’s not something we ate regularly growing up, but I’ve had it a few times in the recent years at potlucks and barbecues. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first, but I’ve grown to really enjoy the crunchy texture, tangy and creamy flavors, and all the wonderful components you can add in. I now make it regularly at home, and this easy broccoli cauliflower salad has quickly become of my favorite quick dishes to make that taste amazing!
Watch a Short Video of This Recipe
Delicious and Easy Broccoli Cauliflower Salad Recipe
I just love the simplicity of the ingredients in this recipe that work beautifully together. This is a filling and hearty broccoli cauliflower salad with bacon, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds. Everything is tossed together in a tangy and creamy mayonnaise and apple cider vinegar dressing. You can enjoy it as a meal on its own, or serve it as a side with sandwiches or grilled meats like chicken or pork. I think it tastes even better the next day after the flavors have time to meld in the refrigerator!
Ingredients in This Salad
- bacon: If you want to make a paleo or Whole30 version of this salad, make sure to use sugar free bacon free of nitrates.
- Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Floret Medley: This broccoli cauliflower salad comes together incredibly easily with the help of Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Floret Medley, which contains pre-cut florets of broccoli and cauliflower. The veggies come in an exclusive technology steam bags, in which you can season the vegetable, seal, then steam in the microwave in just minutes. So convenient and easy!
Ocean Mist also has packages of fresh cut veggies and their Floret Medley can be used for this recipe as well. If you can’t find either of these products, just use whole heads of broccoli and cauliflower and cut off the florets and blanch for 60 seconds. - red onion
- dried cranberries: I love dried cranberries, but raisins or any other dried fruits will work.
- sunflower seeds: If you prefer other types of nuts or seeds, feel free to substitute. Slivered almonds, chopped walnuts, or pecans also work really well!
- mayonnaise: For Whole30 and paleo broccoli cauliflower salad, you can make your own mayo or this is my favorite brand.
- apple cider vinegar: White wine vinegar will also work!
- sea salt
- ground black pepper
How to Make Broccoli Cauliflower Salad with Bacon
- Make the bacon bits by cooking the bacon in a skillet until crispy and browned. Remove from heat and crumble the cooked bacon. Set aside.
- Cook the Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Floret Medley packets by sprinkling with salt and pepper, then seal the package and shake to disperse the seasoning. Microwave for 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl, cutting any large pieces of florets into bite-sized pieces. Using whole heads of broccoli and cauliflower? Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the florets into bite-sized pieces then blanch in the boiling water for 60 seconds. Run under cold water to stop cooking. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add onion, bacon, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds to the florets.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad, then toss together to coat evenly.
- Chill before serving. It’s just the perfect side dish!
Frequently Asked Questions
You can definitely just use raw vegetables when making this salad. In fact, you’ll find that most broccoli salads are made with raw broccoli. However, I find that quickly blanching them helps them hold on to the dressing flavor better and become juicier while still being crispy.
I don’t recommend using frozen broccoli and cauliflower for this recipe. The texture won’t have that delicious crunchiness and will likely be soggy, which you definitely don’t want in a salad like this.
If you want to make this a vegan broccoli cauliflower salad, just omit the bacon and use vegan mayo (or even plain Greek yogurt or dairy free yogurt) instead. You might want to add some more salt since the bacon plays a big part in the flavor.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I would stir everything together before serving.
If you enjoyed this cauliflower broccoli salad, you might also like…
- Quick & Healthy Broccoli Slaw (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan-Option)
- Whole30 Dill Pickle Potato Salad (Instant Pot or Stove Top)
- Egg Free Cauliflower Potato Salad (Paleo, Vegan, Whole30, Keto)
- Keto Egg Salad Recipe – Whole30 Egg Salad
- Best Tuna Egg Salad Recipe (Paleo, Whole30 Keto)
Broccoli Cauliflower Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon
- 2 packages Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Floret Medley or 1 medium head of broccoli and 1 medium head of cauliflower
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1/4 small red onion thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 3/4 cup sunflower seeds
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 tsp sea salt or more to taste
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
- OPTIONAL: 1-2 tbsp coconut sugar or sugar – omit for Whole30
Instructions
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy and browned, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and crumble. Set aside.
- Open the Ocean Mist Farms Season & Steam Floret Medley packets and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Seal, shake to disperse the seasoning, then microwave for 2 minutes. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, cutting any large pieces of florets into bite-sized pieces.If using whole heads of broccoli and cauliflower: Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt the water. Cut the florets into bite-sized pieces. Blanch the florets for 60 seconds, then run under cold water to stop cooking. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Add onion, bacon, dried cranberries, and sunflower seeds to the florets.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad, then toss together to coat evenly.
- Chill before serving.
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Thanks for the broccoli cauliflower salad recipe.
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